VIO Defends Legality of N25,000 Fee for Faded Number Plate Replacement

Kalu Emetu, the spokesperson for the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has clarified the reasoning behind the N25,000 fee charged to motorists for replacing faded number plates.

Emetu emphasized that this fee aligns with the agency’s legal obligations and can be justified.

Emetu shared these insights on Sunday in Abuja, shedding light on the rationale behind the controversial fee.

He highlighted the importance of recognizing that the agency cannot provide free replacement of faded number plates to motorists who have utilized them for a certain duration.

This clarification comes as a response to public concerns surrounding the fee and its purpose.

In his statement, he said “The question people normally ask is, why should we charge motorists or ask them to pay fine for what they got from us?“ You see, everything in life has its life span. A situation where somebody uses a number plate say two to three years, not minding the way the person was using it and gets faded.“Therefore, it is wrong for the person to feel that another one should be given to him or her free of charge.

“Even the vehicle itself, the colour it comes with, does not retain it for years after a while it changes or fades away outrightly.“So, the way most people use, clean or wash their vehicles contributes so much to the life span of the number plates even the car itself.

“Mind you number plates are for identification, it is expected to see that the number is visibly seen from at least 20 metres away.“And, in a situation where it is not, it simply means that it cannot perform the function with which it is meant for. So, such vehicles can be used to perpetrate crimes in the society.

“So, on our own part as the custodians of the usage of such vehicles on the roads, in line with the mandate given to us, we are supposed to see it as not good enough to the society by doing the needful.

“Therefore, if we fail to do the needful, chances are that it may create a chain of problems for the society.

“So, that is why we make sure that such vehicles that bear number plates and will not give full identity of that vehicle, is sorted out from others,” he said.